Honoring Legacy, Advancing Equity: Black History Month and the Future of Nursing

By: Sherif Olanrewaju, PhD, MPS, PGDE, FSIEN

Each February, the United States observes Black History Month. This is not just a time of celebration but also of reflection and renewed commitment. More than a commemorative tradition, Black History Month affirms the enduring contributions of Black Americans to every dimension of national life, including healthcare. It is both a recognition of achievement and a call to action: a reminder that progress is possible when resilience, excellence, and opportunity converge.

The Society of Internationally Educated Nurses and Nursing Allies (SIENNA) proudly stands in solidarity with communities around the world in celebrating this rich and enduring history. For internationally educated nurses (IENs) practicing in the United States, Black History Month holds particular meaning. Many IENs come from diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds and navigate complex pathways toward professional integration. The history of Black Americans in nursing is marked by perseverance in the face of systemic exclusion, a struggle that mirrors broader efforts for recognition, equity, and professional mobility. Understanding this history strengthens solidarity among globally trained nurses and reinforces the shared responsibility to advocate for inclusive professional environments.

The story of Black nurses in America is one of courage and transformation. From pioneers such as Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first professionally trained Black nurse in the United States, to the thousands of Black nurses leading health systems, research initiatives, and community-based programs today, Black Americans have shaped the character and direction of the U.S. healthcare workforce. Despite the well-documented and enduring challenges Black American nurses face, their contributions have been instrumental in sustaining and strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. They have expanded access to care in underserved communities, advanced culturally responsive practice, and championed public health initiatives that address longstanding disparities.

Despite this progress, structural inequities persist. Black nurses remain underrepresented in leadership roles relative to their presence in the nursing workforce. Addressing these disparities requires deliberate policy action, investments in nursing education, mentorship pipelines, equitable hiring practices, and protections against workplace discrimination. When Black Americans and other people of color are supported to thrive, the entire healthcare system benefits through improved patient outcomes, strengthened community trust, and enhanced cultural competence.

The mission of the SIENNA aligns closely with these ideals. SIENNA stands for equity in opportunity, dignity in professional practice, and advocacy for nurses whose voices have historically been marginalized. By promoting mentorship, policy engagement, and community partnership, SIENNA advances a vision of nursing that honors diversity as a source of strength. In doing so, the organization affirms that celebrating Black history is inseparable from building a more just healthcare future.

As we commemorate Black History Month, celebration must be coupled with commitment. Policymakers, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations must collaborate to create enabling environments where Black Americans and all people of color can flourish. This includes expanding access to scholarships and workforce development programs, enforcing equitable workplace policies, and supporting research that addresses racial health disparities. Equity in nursing is not a symbolic goal; it is a structural imperative.

Black History Month invites us to celebrate legacy while shaping the future. For internationally educated nurses and nursing allies, it is an opportunity to stand in solidarity, to advocate boldly, and to contribute to a healthcare system that reflects the diversity and resilience of the communities it serves. By honoring the past and investing intentionally in the present, we help secure a more inclusive and equitable tomorrow for nursing in the United States.